Docking Station and Method for Connecting a Mobile Communication Device to a Communication Infrastructure

ABSTRACT

A docking station and a method for connecting a mobile communication device to an at least partially wire-based communication infrastructure are disclosed. The docking station has a cradle for the storage of the communication device. A detection device detects the presence of the communication device within a selected distance from the docking station and receives authentication information from the communication device. There is also an authentication device for validating the credentials of the communication terminal and for enabling communication with the communications infrastructure on the basis of authentication information. A first interface provides a first wireless communication link with the communication device and a second interface establishes a second wired communication link to the communication infrastructure. A transfer device can switch from the first communication link to the second communication link. A communication system containing the docking station is also disclosed.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a docking station for connecting amobile communication device to an at least partially wire-basedcommunication infrastructure, a communication system including such adocking station, and a method for connecting a mobile communicationdevice to an at least partially wire-based communication infrastructure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In today's business environment, tablet PCs, laptops, and smart phones,which may be privately owned, are being increasingly used withincompanies and integrated into the current IT infrastructures andcommunication infrastructures. This is often referred to as “Bring YourOwn Device” or BYOD. Such devices often include applications or apps formaking phone calls as well as for audio and video conferencing. Therelatively large screens of tablet PCs and notebooks can be beneficial,specifically for video conferencing.

On the other hand, the frequent plugging and unplugging of cables forestablishing communication links and for supplying power areinconvenient, time consuming, and therefore undesirable. Consequentlythere is a need for a more flexible operation of such devices duringwhich security must always be ensured.

Such devices can be used as communication end points within a companyand may be the only end points that are available to the user. On theother hand, the integration of such devices exclusively via wirelessconnections, such as Wi-Fi or mobile Internet is not optimal, since thesafety and/or Quality of Service (QoS) can often only be guaranteed to alimited extent.

A primary object of the invention is to provide a suitable dockingstation, as well as a communication system that includes the dockingstation, and an appropriate method by which a user of mobilecommunication devices can make a flexible and secure connection to anexisting communication infrastructure. That communication infrastructuremay be within a company that employs the user of the mobile device.

This purpose is achieved by means of a docking station, a communicationsystem and a method as disclosed and claimed herein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A docking station by which the mobile communication devices such astablet PCs and smart phones can be connected to a communicationinfrastructure, includes a cradle on which the communication device canbe placed or stored. The docking station also includes a detectiondevice to detect whether a communication device is located near thedocking station and resides within such a distance from the dockingstation that it can transmit authentication information to the dockingstation wirelessly. The docking station also includes a validationdevice to verify that the communication device to be connected to thecommunication infrastructure is even allowed to communicate.

The validation device can be an electronic circuit or appropriatesoftware to check the authentication information regarding theauthorization to communicate. The detection device is for example a NearField Communication interface (NFC) or a Bluetooth interface that reactsto an RFID chip or an RFID adhesive label on the communication device.The docking station further comprises a first interface by which aninitial wireless communication with the communication device can beestablished and maintained, provided that it has been authorized. Thedocking station further includes a second interface by which a secondwired communication connection to the communication infrastructure isestablished. Generally speaking, the first and second interfaces permitlonger or even permanent communication links to be established andmaintained, and over which the communication data can be transmitted.For example, the first interface can be a WLAN interface or a(infrastructure-less) peer-to-peer wireless interface (P2P-WLAN). Thesecond interface can be for example an Ethernet interface. The dockingstation further comprises a transfer device which connects or transfersor routes the first communication link to the second communication link.A so-called Ethernet switch and/or router are examples of such atransfer device. In the likely event that different IP sub-domains areused, the Ethernet switch can be advantageously combined with a router.

The docking station according to the invention enables the automaticdetection of a mobile communication device approaching the dockingstation, the login into the docking station after validation of thecommunication permissions of the communication infrastructure and thetransfer onto the communication infrastructure. These operations areautomated and do not require any additional handling by the user, suchas connecting or disconnecting wires, which ensures both the ease of useand the reliability and quality of the data connection.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the detectiondevice is designed for establishing a near field communication, aBluetooth connection, or both. This is possible in a technically simple,proven and reliable manner.

It is preferred that the docking station includes a firewall that can beconfigured for example as an Application Layer Gateway (ALG) forprotection against malicious software, which could for example betransmitted from the communication device to the docking station. Thiscan be ensured regardless of the software configuration of thecommunication device so that no malicious software can pass through thedocking station into the associated communication infrastructure. Thefirewall can also include company-specific profiles and for exampleblock the execution of software not desired by the company, although itdoes not contain viruses, Trojans or similar malware, commonly referredto as malicious software.

It is also beneficial if the docking station comprises a memory devicein which an authentication key is stored, by which the authorizationinformation—which may be created for example as a company-specificcertificate—can then be checked to ensure that the docking station inwhich the authentication key is stored is the standard docking stationfor the specific communication device. If so, the authorization for thecommunication of the communication device to the communicationinfrastructure of the relevant docking station can be validated byitself without having to resort to other equipment. This in particularoffers a great advantage when, for example, the appropriateauthentication service is not currently available.

For a user of the docking station according to the invention, it isbeneficial if the docking station comprises a charging station forcharging the battery of the communication device placed thereon. It ispreferable to design a universal charging station, so that differentcommunication devices from a wide variety of manufacturers can becharged. A further improvement in the user friendliness can be achievedby making wireless charging available, as for example provided by aninductive charger.

Audio capabilities can be enhanced for a user, when the docking stationaccording to the invention comprises a built-in speaker, so that it canbe used in addition to the speakers contained in the communicationdevice or instead. The docking station can also include a display, sothat a user can use a larger monitor or a larger display with a dockingstation connected to the communication device. Alternatively oradditionally, a connection can be provided for an external display thatfurther increases the diversity of possible application of the dockingstation according to the invention.

A present preferred communication system includes a docking stationaccording to the above description; one communication infrastructureconnected to the docking station via a wired communication link; and atleast one mobile communication device. The communication infrastructuremay be a local area network of a company. The communication device mustcomprise a wireless transmission device to signal its presence near thedocking station and for transmitting authorization information to thedocking station and also a first interface for providing a firstwireless communication link with the docking station.

With such a communication system, it is possible in a simple and secureway to connect mobile communication devices easily and safely to acommunication infrastructure. For the communication system of thepresent invention, the advantages and features mentioned for the dockingstation apply in the same or similar manner.

An objective underlying the invention is also achieved by a method forthe use of a mobile communication device in an at least partiallywire-based communication infrastructure as described and claimed. “Atleast partially wire-based” means that the communication infrastructureis at least connected to the docking station via a wired communicationlink, as this can be done for example by means of an Ethernetconnection. Wireless connections may also be provided. The methodcomprises the following steps: When approaching the docking station, thecommunication device transmits credential information to the dockingstation. Then this credential information is checked to determinewhether the communication device is allowed to communicate with thecommunication infrastructure. If communication is permitted, then afirst, wireless, communication connection between the communicationdevice and the docking station is established. Because the dockingstation is connected via a second wire-based communication link to thecommunication infrastructure, this mobile device now has access to thecommunication infrastructure through the docking station. Theestablished first communication link is then switched through to thesecond communications link or relayed so that the communication terminalcan communicate with the communication infrastructure.

According to a beneficial improvement of the method according to theinvention, the communication device establishes a third, also wireless,communication link to a communication network of its choice when thefirst communication link (and thus the second communication link) isinterrupted. This means that the communication device then automaticallyswitches to a different “channel” and logs on to this other channel.

According to a beneficial embodiment of the method, the authorizationinformation is transmitted in the form of a certificate that has beenissued by the communication infrastructure, or at least authorized. Thecertificate is validated through a dedicated or shared service—locallyor in the cloud—which then sends to the docking station the datarequired for establishing the first wireless communication link betweenthe mobile communication device and the docking station. The firstcommunication link is preferably a P2P connection. The docking stationthen establishes the P2P connection via WLAN with the communicationdevice. This connection is then—preferably via an Ethernet switch—passedin the docking station to the second communication link (preferably aLAN that has been established over Ethernet.)

It is understood that the method according to the present invention canalso be implemented in the form of a computer program or a computerprogram product, and that such a software storing machine-readable datais to be regarded as an object of the present invention.

Further benefits, features and characteristics of the present inventionbecome apparent from the following description of beneficial embodimentswith reference to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a communication system accordingto the invention which includes a docking station according to theinvention, and

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for an embodiment of the invented method.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a present preferredcommunication system 60 according to the invention having acommunication infrastructure 8, which may, for example, be a local areanetwork or wide area network of a company. A tablet PC 90 or othermobile communication device can be connected to the communicationinfrastructure 8. The tablet PC 90 is usually connected to acommunications network 29, such as a wireless infrastructure (WLAN orcellular network). Generally the tablet PC 90 or other mobilecommunication device will be outside of the company IT structure towhich it is to be connected. The tablet PC 90 contains an NFC and/orBluetooth interface, or has an RFID adhesive label. The tablet PC 90 orthe adhesive label attached to it stores, in addition to information forestablishing a P2P connection to a docking station 10, a certificate 40.That certificate contains authorization information that was issued bythe infrastructure management of the company to which the tablet PC 90is to be connected. Alternatively, the certificate could be acertificate issued by a third-party but authorized by the respectivecompanies whose communication infrastructure will be accessed by themobile device. The NFC or Bluetooth interface 93 generates a wirelesstransmission, by which the tablet PC 90 can signal its presence in thevicinity of the docking station 10. In addition, this interface is usedto transmit the certificate 40 to the docking station 10.

The docking station 10 in turn comprises a cradle 12, which is shown inFIG. 1 as a rounded surface, for setting down, or storing the tablet-PCs90. The cradle sits on a transfer device 20 which has a housing thatsupports the cradle and other components of the docking station. Ifdesired the cradle may be integrally formed with the housing.Alternatively the cradle may not be attached to or rest on the transferdevice 20. In addition, the docking station 10 includes a detectiondevice 23 (for example, an RFID circuit) for detecting the presence ofthe tablet-PCs 90.

The tablet-PC 90 and the docking station 10 each have a P2P wirelessinterface 14 to establish an appropriate communication link 24. Thedocking station 10 also comprises an Ethernet interface 16 to establishan additional communication link 26 (Ethernet connection) with thecommunication infrastructure 8 of the company. The detection device,authentication device, first interface, second interface and transferdevice can be attached to either or both of the housing and the cradle.

Once the tablet-PC 90 comes close to or within the radio range of thedocking station 10, this approach is detected and the certificate 40 istransmitted to the docking station 10 via the NFC-/Bluetooth interface14. The certificate 40 is validated through a dedicated or sharedservice—which can be local or in the cloud—which then sends the datarequired to establish a P2P connection from the tablet PC 90 to thedocking station 10. The docking station 10 then establishes the P2Pconnection via WLAN. This connection is then passed to the LAN 26 bymeans of a transfer device 20 in the form of an Ethernet switch and/orrouter in the docking station 10.

It should be noted that the tablet PC 90 only represents the mobilecommunications devices or telecommunications devices that can beconnected to the communication infrastructure 8 by means of the presentinvention using the docking station 10.

If the WLAN connection 24 between the tablet PC 90 and the dockingstation 10 breaks, the connection to the LAN 26 is also interrupted. Thetablet PC 90 then switches to the preferred wireless network 29 and logsitself in into the wireless network 29.

The docking station 10 also preferably has built-in speaker 19. Thisspeaker 19 can be used to improve the audio quality of the dockingstation 10—either in addition to or instead of using the speakers of thetablet PC 90. The docking station 10 also preferably includes aconnector for connecting an external display 17, which can be used forthe replication of the tablet PC 90 display on an external monitor, ifthe tablet PC 90 permits. Alternatively, the docking station may supportthe wireless connection of playback devices, such as via the “DigitalLiving Network Alliance” DLNA standard (see http://www.dlna.org/ orwireless USB.

A firewall 18 is also preferably integrated in the docking station 10that can reliably prevent malware or unwanted software to pass via thedocking station 10 onto the communication infrastructure 8. The firewallcan be software in a non-transitory memory and provides that protectionwithout regard to the configuration of the communication device 90 to beconnected via the docking station 10 to the communication infrastructure8. The docking station 10 also preferably includes a memory 13 thatstores the authentication key that identifies the docking station inquestion as the standard docking station for a specific communicationsdevice 90. This way, the corresponding communication device 90 canimmediately be connected to the communication infrastructure 8 via thedocking station 10 without validating the certificate via an appropriateservice. The validation and the connection are therefore possible evenif the validation service is not currently available.

The docking station 10 also preferably comprises a universal chargingstation 11 for charging the battery of a communication device 90connected via the docking station 10. Preferably the charging stationcan charge that battery wirelessly regardless of the specificconfiguration and features of the communication device. Thisconsiderably improves the convenience of the docking station 10 and theversatility of its use.

The docking station 10 preferably further includes an Ethernet port (notshown) to which for example a PC can be connected, according to theprinciple of “one-wire-to-the-desk” or “only one cable to the desk”.

The external monitor 17 can be connected, for example via an HDMI, DVIor VGA cable to the docking station 10.

The use of a mechanical switch or a press-contacting surface (on whichthe communication terminal 90 can be placed) can be provided instead of,or in addition to, the above-described capability of a wirelessdetection by the docking station 10 of the approach or presence of acommunication device 90.

It should be noted that, with the present invention, any mobilecommunication device such as smart phones, tablet PCs, etc. can beconnected to a company's IT structure in a safer, more convenient andflexible way. By using the peer-to-peer wireless connection, traffic canbe diverted advantageously from the WLAN infrastructure that would orcould otherwise be used by the mobile device.

The sequence of a present preferred method according to the inventionfor connecting a mobile communication device 90 to an at least partiallywire-based communication infrastructure 8 of a company is summarized inFIG. 2. In step S1, a Near Field Communication (NFC connection) or anRFID connection is first established between the tablet computer 90 andthe docking station 10 as soon as the tablet PC 90 has come within aselected distance of the docking station 10 at which that connection canbe established. Thereafter, a certificate 40 is sent from the tablet PC90 to the docking station 10 via the aforementioned link (see step S2).In step S3, the certificate 40 is checked. If the certificate is valid,a P2P wireless connection between the tablet PC 90 and the dockingstation 10 is established in step S4. This connection is then passed instep S5 to the LAN which connects the docking station 10 to thecommunication infrastructure 8. After that, the communication betweenthe tablet PC 90 and the company can take place in step S6. Thiscommunication is maintained as long as the P2P wireless connectionbetween Tablet PC 90 and the docking station 10 as well as the LANconnection 26 between the docking station 10 and the communicationinfrastructure 8 works. As indicated in step S7 when a check of theproper functioning of this connection indicates that it no longer oradequately works, the tablet PC 90 automatically switches according tostep S8 to a communication with a wireless network 29 of his choice sothat it maintains at least some communication capabilities. For example,that wireless network may provide Internet access, but may not provideaccess to the company communications infrastructure.

It should be noted that the described characteristics of the representedembodiments of the invention, such as the type and design of theindividual equipment parts, interfaces and communication links may beotherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims, unlessotherwise stated or prohibited for technical reasons.

What is claimed is:
 1. A docking station for connecting a mobilecommunication device to an at least partially wire-based communicationinfrastructure comprising: a housing, a cradle connected to the housingfor the storage of the communication device, a detection device fordetecting the presence of the communication device when thecommunication device is within a selected distance from the detectiondevice, the detection device capable of receiving a wirelesstransmission of authentication information from the communication devicean authentication device for validating the authentication informationfrom the communication device and for enabling communication by themobile communication device with the communication infrastructure basedon the authentication information, a first interface for providing afirst, wireless communication link to the communication device whenauthorized, a second interface for providing a second wiredcommunication link to the communications infrastructure, and a transferdevice for switching the first communication link to the secondcommunication link, wherein the detection device, authentication device,first interface, second interface and transfer device are attached to atleast one of the housing and the cradle.
 2. The docking stationaccording to claim 1 wherein the detection device is designed forproviding at least one of Near Field communication and a Bluetoothconnection.
 3. The docking station according to claim 1 also comprisinga firewall for protection against unwanted software originating from thecommunication device.
 4. The docking station according to claim 1 alsocomprising a memory device for storing an authentication key for theauthentication information.
 5. The docking station of claim 4 whereinthe authentication information identifies the docking station as astandard device.
 6. The docking station according to claim 1 alsocomprising a universal charging station for charging a battery in thecommunication device.
 7. The docking station of claim 6 wherein theuniversal charging station is suitable for wireless recharging.
 8. Thedocking station according to claim 1 also comprising a speaker attachedto the housing.
 9. The docking station of claim 1 also comprising adisplay configured for at least one of a wired connection and a wirelessconnection to the communication device.
 10. A communication systemcomprising: a docking station according claim 1, a communicationinfrastructure that is connected by a wired communication link to thedocking station, and at least one mobile communication device (90),comprising: a wireless transmission device to signal its presence inproximity of the docking station and for transmitting authenticationinformation to the docking station, and a first interface for providinga first wireless communication link with the docking station.
 11. Amethod for connecting a mobile communication device through a dockingstation to an at least partially wire-based communicationinfrastructure, comprising: wirelessly transmitting authenticationinformation from the communication device to a docking station, checkingbased upon the authentication information, whether the communicationdevice is authorized to communicate with the communicationinfrastructure, when authorization exists, establishing a first,wireless communication link between the communication device and thedocking station, the docking station being connected via a second wiredcommunication link to the communication infrastructure, and switchingthe first communication link to the second communication link.
 12. Themethod according to claim 11 wherein the communication device includes athird wireless communication link to a communication network and furthercomprising connecting the communication device through the thirdwireless communication link to a communication system when the firstcommunication link is unavailable.
 13. The method according to claim 11wherein the authentication information contains a certificate issued orauthorized by the communication infrastructure.